By Peter Omopo
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kwara State branch, has called on the state government to improve doctors’ welfare, provide scholarships, and invest in health infrastructure to curb the growing emigration of medical professionals from the state.
The Acting Vice Chairman of NMA in Kwara, Dr. Ayinde Musa, made the appeal on Thursday in Ilorin while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Musa said that the shortage of medical doctors in public hospitals has reached a worrying level, noting that poor remuneration, inadequate facilities, and lack of incentives were driving health workers to seek opportunities abroad or in private practice.
“To address the shortage of doctors and the ongoing ‘japa’ syndrome, the state government must improve healthcare infrastructure, remuneration, and incentives for doctors to match global standards,” he stated.
The NMA leader urged the government to build, upgrade, and equip hospitals across the state to improve the quality of healthcare delivery and create a more conducive environment for medical professionals.
He also advised the government to offer scholarships, low-interest loans, and welfare packages to attract new doctors and retain existing ones in public service.
“Many doctors currently work with private organisations in Kwara and can be persuaded to join the public sector if offered competitive incentives,” Musa explained.
“Providing benefits such as scholarships, housing support, and career development opportunities will discourage medical practitioners from leaving the country.”
Musa further called for continuous engagement with stakeholders in the health sector to develop sustainable policies that would strengthen the state’s healthcare system and reverse the brain drain trend.
A 2024 PUNCH Online report highlighted that Nigeria’s mass emigration of doctors—popularly called the ‘Japa syndrome’—remains a major threat to the nation’s healthcare system. Public hospitals across many states continue to face acute staff shortages, with some facilities operating far below capacity.
According to PUNCH Healthwise, Nigeria’s doctor-to-patient ratio deteriorated to 1:10,000 in 2024, a sharp contrast to the World Health Organisation’s recommended ratio of 1:600, with states such as Kwara, Kogi, Niger, and Ekiti among the worst affected.
Musa concluded by urging the Kwara State Government to take urgent steps, saying:
“If we make the healthcare environment attractive, our doctors will stay, and the people of Kwara will receive the quality medical care they deserve.”
